PTSD, now won’t go in hen house

[TheOldBiddy]

I have a pullet at Point of Lay, who survived a varmint attack where her 6 flock mates were killed while eating in the run during daylight hours. I found 4 bodies inside the hen house, where I assume they ran for safety. There are 4 older hens who weren’t affected. The older hens haven’t accepted her into their flock, and she’s too big for the six 2 week old chicks who are being raised by a broody hen. Now, my lone survivor is sleeping outside, then comes to the coop in the early morning to be let in to eat. I kept them all locked up in the coop for three days, hoping the survivor would sleep inside on the roost after that. But, as soon as I let them out, again, she reverted to sleeping in her hiding place. How can I get her to sleep in the safety of the coop, again?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Just put her in the coop at night. When it gets dark, chickens get drowsy, so they're easier to catch. Find out where she chooses to roost, grab her gently, and put her on the perch in the coop. If you leave her out all night, the thing that killed her flock mates will most likely return for her.

Is the coop locked up at night? Is the coop predator proof? Both of those things you want to ensure to keep your flock protected at night.

 

[TheOldBiddy]

Yes, the coop is locked at night and predator proof. The problem is that I don’t know where she’s hiding. One full fenced in acre has a lot of hiding places.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

Yes, the coop is locked at night and predator proof. The problem is that I don’t know where she’s hiding. One full fenced in acre has a lot of hiding places.

Can you catch her before it gets dark? Maybe when you see her next, catch her and keep her cooped up all day?